Parth Verma, BBA LLB (Hons), Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru
ABSTRACT
Over the years, the number of child actors in entertainment industry are on a continuous rise. Its positive aspect is that it provides child actors with fame and money to sustain their downtrodden families. However, they could be and are subjected to sexual abuse and exploitation while they work. Most of these children are forced to work without their due consent or desire. According to the ‘Philosophy of Child Development’ given by Jean Jacques Rosseau, childhood is that phase of life in which children develop their personalities and reasoning capabilities through education. Though, earning at a young age could be helpful for their family as per the Utilitarian Theory, it is morally incorrect to impose constraints by forcing them to work, when they should be left free to explore their objectives in life. Hence, the purpose of this research is to look into all these issues and take steps to curb them through appropriate legal action and by using the philosophy laid down by Rosseau. The research study involves critical analysis of reports relating to rights of child performers published by organizations such as International Labour Organization and Convention on Rights of Child along with comparison of child labour laws in India and USA. The study showed that due to working in entertainment industry, children are distanced from their education and suffer from mental illnesses. Hence, changes need to be brought in existing laws to help these children with their education and to provide them with counselling. Apart from these measures, the laws protecting child actors should be extended to children working as circus performers, content creators on social media and sportspersons who are also subjected to bullying and exploitation. Only when such measures are adopted and implemented, we could move towards a society where child performers are protected.
Keywords: Child Actors, Child Labour, Entertainment Industry, Exploitation, Sexual Abuse
